Nov. 29, 2016
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame swimming and diving team has signed six female swimmers to their 2021 class. The incoming freshman class will bring with them numerous state high school titles and U.S. Olympic Trial Qualifiers. Head Coach Mke Litzinger and his staff are excited how the incoming class fits in their plans for continued success.
“This group of women fit Notre Dame and our program’s goals to a “T.” They are competitive, bright and can share the vision I have for the future of Fighting Irish women’s swimming. Our coaching staff had worked extremely hard in gaining their interest and I am proud of their efforts as well. There is no doubt we are moving quickly to a new level.”
Below is a summary of the future Fighting Irish swimmers:
Lindsay Stone
Pittsford, NY
Pittsford-Sutherland High School Freestyle
PACK Swim Team Intended Major: Business
Coach-Marty Keating Parents: Michael & Bridget Stone
- New York State Record Holder 200 Freestyle 1:47.39 and 500 Freestyle 4:46.80.
- 2016 New York State High School Champion 200 and 500 Freestyle
- 2016 US Olympic Trials Qualifier 800 Meter Freestyle
Best Times: 200 Free 1:47.39 500 Free 4:46.80 1650 Free 16:20.00
Litzinger on Stone: “Lindsay is an incredible distance athlete and is exactly what our program needs. She has speed, can extend, and is very tough. He best time in the 1650 Free already bests our school record and makes her a player on the conference level. I am thrilled that Lindsay is joining us.”
Carly Quast
Wayzata, MN
Wayzata High School Back/Free
Aquajets Swim Team Intended Major: Science
Coach-Kate Lundsten Parents: Michael & Deb Quast
- Minnesota Class AA State Record Holder 200 Freestyle 1:47.33 and 100 Backstroke :53.39
- 2016 Minnesota Class AA Champion 200 Freestyle, 100 Back and 200 Medley Relay
- 2016 US Olympic Trials Qualifier 100 Backstroke
Best Times: 100 Back :53.39 200 Back 1:57.97 200 Free 1:47.33
Litzinger on Quast: “Carly will be that person who can do it all. She has the speed to be a key player on our Medley Relays, but can also take her game up to the 200 events. She is well coached and will be well prepared to make an impact on the ACC/NCAA level.”
Rachel Wittmer
Edina, MN
Edina High School Free/Fly
Aquajets Swim Team Intended Major: Science
Coach-Kate Lundsten Parents: Michael & Lisa Wittmer
- Minnesota Class AA State Record Holder 50 Freestyle, 200 Freestyle Relay, and 400 Freestyle Relay.
- 2016 Minnesota Class AA Champion 50 Freestyle, 100 Fly, 200 and 400 Freestyle Relays
Best Times: 50 Free :22.54 100 Free :49.82 100 Fly :53.99 100 Back :54.58
Litzinger on Wittmer: “Rachel is certainly one of the strongest athletes we have recruited at Notre Dame. Her ability to be flat out in the sprints will be a complement to our young freestyle group. I fully expect Rachel to help our Freestyle Relays elevate into contenders on the ACC level.”
Cailey Grunhard
Mission Hills, KS
Bishop Miege High School Fly/Back
Kansas City Swim Academy Intended Major: Arts & Letters
Coach-Mary Jo Klier Parents: Tim & Sarah Grunhard
- Kansas 5A-1A State Record Holder in the 100 Fly, 100 Back and 200 Medley Relay
- 2016 Kansas 5A-1A State Champion in the 100 Fly, 100 Back and 200 Medley Relay
- 2016 US Olympic Trial Qualifier in the 100 Fly
- Cailey’s father Tim played for Notre Dame on the 1988 National Championship Football Team, and was a 12 year NFL veteran with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Best Times: 100 Fly :53.26 50 Fly :24.66 100 Back :55.15
Litzinger on Grunhard: “Cailey is a very special swimmer. She gets faster every time she hits the water. She is incredibly explosive underwater, and she has the desire to excel at the highest of levels. Her butterfly/backstroke combination will add incredible value to our team.”
Skylar Fore
Cedarburg, WI
Cedarburg High School Free/Fly
Ozaukee Aquatics Intended Major: Undecided Science
Coach-Steve Keller Parent: Jenny Fore
- 2016 WIAA State Champion in the 100 Free and 200 Medley Relay
- 2016 NCSA Finalist in the 50 Free and 100 Fly
Best Times: 50 Free :23.05 100 Free :49.76 200 Free 1:48.83 100 Fly :53.59
Litzinger on Fore: “I am pleased to welcome Skylar to South Bend. She is one of three great Freestylers we have in this class, and her potential is unlimited. Having Skylar in our program will let her explore that strength and speed to its fullest. I like the fact she is a winner, and bringing that attitude to our program is key.”
Abigail German
Erie, PA
Fairview High School Breast/IM
Lake Erie Silver Dolphins Intended Major: Neuroscience
Coach-Gregg Sarbak Parents: David & Renee German
- 2016 PIAA AA State Champion in the 100 Breast
- 2016 National High School All-American 100 Breast
- Fairview High School Record Holder 100 Breast, 200 IM and 200 Freestyle
Best Times: 100 Breast 1:02.48 200 IM 2:05.16
Litzinger on German: “Abby is coming on the scene with great momentum. Like the rest of the women in this class, she has great strength, and is improving rapidly. She will definitely have an opportunity to contribute in the breaststroke events for us. I am looking forward to working with her.”